Analysis: Breaking Down Seahawks’ Reported Roster Cuts, Cutdown Day Moves
Moving one step closer to their season opener against the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks will trim their roster down to the NFL-mandated 53 players by 3 PM PT on Sunday.
Needing to move 37 players off of the roster, most of these moves will come through cuts and terminated contracts for vested veterans with at least four years of accrued NFL service time, but Seahawks general manager John Schneider has a history of swinging trades leading up to the cutdown deadline. Seattle also could place up to two players on injured reserve without them counting against the 53-man limit who would be eligible to return after missing a minimum of four games, creating another mechanism to utilize as a means for retaining players.
As the Seahawks execute tough decisions on who to keep and who to let go as they build their initial 53-man roster, I will be breaking down every reported move leading up to Sunday’s deadline. Check back frequently as new developments trickle in:
Cuts
Bubba Thomas, DT
As reported by ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Thomas has been informed of his release by the Seahawks. The second-year defensive tackle out of South Alabama spent all of last season on the practice squad and after recording nine tackles in three preseason games this August, he could be a prime candidate to bring back in that capacity as nose tackle depth.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr., WR
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Seahawks will release Henderson, a sixth round pick out of Kansas. The speedy receiver didn’t make much of an impact in the first two preseason games, but he came on strong with two catches for 58 yards in the finale against the Chiefs on Friday night, showcasing his ability to stretch the field. A talented gunner on special teams, Seattle will certainly be hoping the converted running back will slip through waivers unclaimed to return on the practice squad.
Kellen Diesch, T
Claimed off waivers from the Patriots only a few days before the preseason finale, Diesch’s time in Seattle won’t last long, as a source indicates the Seahawks will release the former Arizona State standout. While the practice squad isn’t out of the question, his addition last week likely boiled down to needing numbers for the last exhibition game more than anything.
Derrick Graham, T
Signed just a few days before the preseason finale as a depth addition for Friday night, the Seahawks released Graham on Saturday to make room for cornerback Terrion Arnold, who will land on the Commissioner’s Exempt List once his contract has been filed to the NFL office.
D’Anthony Bell, S
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Seahawks have informed Bell that he will be released. The veteran safety played in 13 games with the team last year before the Panthers claimed him off waivers in December, but he still received a Super Bowl ring for his contributions and re-signed in March. Seattle will be able to bring him back to the practice squad immediately, as he’s a vested veteran who will not go through waivers and can sign with anyone as a free agent.
Jalan Gaines, EDGE
According to Henderson, Gaines has been informed of his release and will hit the waiver wire. The second-year outside linebacker out of Illinois State had a solid preseason, including a fantastic goal line run stop against the Chiefs, and impressed throughout training camp, likely positioning him to return on the practice squad if he clears waivers as expected.
Michael Dansby, CB
According to Henderson, the Seahawks will release Dansby with hopes of getting the seventh round pick back on the practice squad. The rookie out of Arizona had a stellar training camp and preseason, producing two pass breakups in the last two exhibition contests. However, the signing of Trevon Diggs pushed him onto the wrong side of the roster bubble and with Avery Smith coming over from the Chargers in a trade, his lack of slot versatility may have cost him a spot ultimately.
Rodney Thomas II, S
Much like Bell, as Henderson reported, the Seahawks released Thomas as a vested veteran looking to quickly sign him back onto the practice squad since he won’t have to clear waivers. Seattle signed the former seventh round pick out of Yale in free agency in March after four seasons with Indianapolis, including two years as a starter. With Nick Emmanwori still recovering from ankle surgery, both Thomas and Bell could either be back on the 53-man roster in a few days or be obvious game day elevation candidates early in the year.
Trades
Per Pelissero, the Seahawks will send a 2027 sixth round pick to the Chargers for rookie cornerback Avery Smith. Undrafted out of Toledo, Smith had a strong training camp for Los Angeles while playing 61 snaps in the slot during preseason play. Along with being a capable blitzer, evidenced by four pressures on 10 pass rush attempts in exhibition season, he allowed a touchdown and produced a pass breakup in three preseason contests. He will join a secondary that includes - at least for now - former Toledo teammate Andre Fuller.
